Former BJP leader Jaswant Singh passes away

NEW DELHI, Sep 27
Former Union Minister Jaswant Singh, a close associate of ex-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, died here on Sunday following a long spell of illness. He was 82.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top BJP leaders paid rich tributes to Singh, saying that he served India diligently and will be remembered for his unique perspective on matters of politics and society. Singh was cremated in Rajasthan's Jodhpur.
Singh, a former Army officer, had been ill after a fall at his home in August 2014 and was admitted to the Army Research and Referral Hospital. He had been in and out of the hospital and was admitted again in June this year.
In a statement, the Army hospital said, "Major Jaswant Singh (Retd), former Cabinet Minister, passed away at 6.55 am today. He was admitted on 25 June & was being treated for Sepsis with Multiorgan Dysfunction Syndrome. He had a cardiac arrest this morning. His Covid status is negative."
The news of his death was tweeted by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
"Deeply pained by the passing away of veteran BJP leader & former Minister, Shri Jaswant Singh ji. He served the Nation in several capacities including the charge of Raksha Mantri. He distinguished himself as an effective Minister and Parliamentarian," Rajnath tweeted.
Shri Jaswant Singh ji would be remembered for his intellectual capabilities and stellar record in service to the na… https://t.co/XOyFY9pVxO
    — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) 1601175368000
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a series of tweets, condoled the death of the leader."Jaswant Singh Ji served our Nation diligently, first as a soldier and later during his long association with politics. During Atal Ji’s Government, he handled crucial portfolios and left a strong mark in the worlds of Finance, Defence and External Affairs. Saddened by his demise," he tweeted.
PM Modi remembered Jaswant Singh's "unique" perspective on matters of politics and society.
"He also contributed to the strengthening of the BJP. I will always remember our interactions. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti," the PM tweeted.
Spoke to Shri Manvendra Singh and expressed condolences on the unfortunate demise of Shri Jaswant Singh Ji. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 1601176539000
Jaswant Singh was a retired officer of the Indian Army and was one of the founding members of the Bhartiya Janata Party. He held the Defence, External Affairs and Finance portfolios in Vajpayee Government's different Ministries from 1996-2004.
He first served as the Finance Minister in the shortlived Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government in 1996. He was appointed as External Affairs Minister in the next Vajpayee-led Government (1998-2002). Later, he was once again given the charge of Finance Ministry in 2002.
He was also the Defence Minister following the resignation of George Fernandes after the latter's name appeared in a defence scam.
In the run-up to 2014 Lok Sabha elections, when BJP did not field him from his native Barmer Constituency in Rajasthan, Jaswant Singh decided to fight the elections as an independent against a candidate from his own party. He was expelled after he refused to withdraw his name.
Courtesy Times of India (With inputs from agencies)